As you may already know, I’m a big fan of self assignments.  I put together a quick video to talk about why I think they are important.

Take a look and let me know if you agree!

PhotoEducation Channel

Thought I would post a few images from tonight’s opening of my 40@Forty Show at the Courtyard Theater in Plano. I was worried the rain would keep people away, but was thrilled to see we still had a great crowd.

Hanging out at the refreshment table!

Such a great venue for a show.

Hanging out with the Westwood gang.

A shot with my friend and mentor Gail Nogle, in front of the portrait she inspired.

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It was so nice to finally see all the images enlarged, framed and hanging in one place. The best part was find out each person’s favorite image. It was so interesting how everyone seemed to have a different favorite. The show will be on display through the end of the summer, when it moves to the Goodrich Gallery in Dallas. If you are in Plano during July or August, I hope you will stop by and check out the images.

Just got back from setting up my exhibit at the Courtyard Theater in Plano. The show contains 25 images from last year’s 40@Forty Project.

It was quite an undertaking – trying to figure out where to hang everything and getting them spaced out properly. Luckily I had a couple of helpers available to assist!

The show officially opens next week with a reception Thursday night. Click HERE for the details.

Also, its not too late to be a part of the show. Wanna know how?

During last year’s 40@Forty Project, I decided to create a portrait of my darling wife, Heather. Of course, the bar was really high for this one. I kept coming up with concepts, then eliminating them because I didn’t think they would be good enough. If finally decided to do something in the style of one of my favorite artists, Pino Daeni. What I love about Pino’s work is that he would take very ordinary scenes and elevate them to extraordinary with his amazing color and brushstrokes. It was a scary undertaking, but I figured I would give it a shot.

I started with with a very simple setup – Heather standing at her vanity putting on an earring. There was nothing extra spectacular about the setup or the lighting – in fact, her back is to the camera and you can only see her face in the mirror. I started adding color, then applied lots of very loose brushwork. I finally ended up with a portrait I really liked…

Back several years ago – when I started trying to earn my Master Photographer degree from PPofA, I decided I would try to get a merit with every member of my family. By the time I got my degree, I had successfully entered portraits of everyone in the family – including an image of our Chocolate Lab, Annie- everyone except Heather. I just never had a portrait that I was really excited about.

A few months ago, I entered this image in PPA’s International Image Competition. Not only did the image receive a merit, but it also was selected for the prestigious Loan Collection – an honor reserved for the top images from the competition. At last- mission accomplished!!!

Next month, I will have an exhibit of 25 of my favorite images from last year’s 40@Forty Project . I met with the framer today to review and sign the prints before they finish the framing.

It was very exciting to see all these images and I can’t wait to see them all hanging on the wall together.

If you would like to help out with the exhibit, you can sponsor your favorite week and keep the framed print after the exhibit. All of the profits from the print sales will go to charity – so you’ll get some good Karma too! If you are interested, call the studio at 972.596.8888 or send me email.

So which was your favorite image!!???

As most of you know, last year I took on the biggest project of my career with the 40@Forty Project. Over the course of 40 weeks, I created 40 self-portraits – all to commemorate my 40th birthday. It was quite an adventure.
The culmination of the project is going to be an exhibit of 25 of my favorite images from the series. They will be on display at the Courtyard Theater in Plano during July and August, then at the Goodrich Gallery in Dallas during September.

I’m also going to give this exhibit a special twist – by allowing people to sponsor or adopt their favorite week! All the profits from the print sales will go to charity- so you are getting some good Karma too! Each print will have the sponsor’s name on a card next to the piece. At the end of the exhibit, the print is yours to keep – hang it on your wall or (if for some strange reason you don’t want a picture of me in your house) you can just use the frame for something else. The cost is only $125 for a framed 11×14 – too good of a deal to pass up!

The only catch is, the weeks are first-come, first-served – so get going today and make sure you get your favorite!

Here’s all you have to do:
1. View the selected images at:   4040Previews
2. Email me with your first and second choice of images.

It going to be a lot of fun -so sign up today!

Had a great time at the opening of my art show last night at 55 Degrees. Thanks a bunch to everyone who came out!

In addition to some of my previous paintings and black&white prints, I had an extra bonus: three preview images from my upcoming 40@Forty Exhibit. (Details soon!)

If you are near Plano this month, I hope you will stop in. Aside from the chance to see my work, its also a great wine bar. The food is awesome and the wine selection is excellent – you can’t beat it for a relaxed night out.

http://www.55degreesplano.com/

Well, it is official….. the results of the Favorite Forty Poll are in and the winner is – “Week 3: The Piano.”

Week three won by a very narrow margin (1 %) over Week 5 (Trapped in the Computer).

Thanks to everyone who voted.

Also, if you haven’t had a chance yet, be sure to check out the 4040 book on Blurb:

The 40@Forty Project Book

If you’d like your own copy of the 40@Forty book, here is a link to the order page. Hope you enjoy it!

http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/1148412

Well, it took me a while, but I finally managed to compile all the 4040 images into a book. After putting so much time into the project, I wanted something to remember it by – so I created a book of the images. It contains all 40 of the self-portraits, along with several of the rejected portraits that I created, but didn’t use. You can also read the story behind each week’s image and see what I was trying to accomplish with that portrait. The Fellow Forty portraits are also included. For you technical folks, I’ve even included basic exposure information for all the images. It’s a pretty cool collection – if I do say so myself.

Even though the book was originally created just for me – I figured I may as well open it up to everyone else, in case they are interested. I’m including a link to the bookstore where you can purchase the book. If you get one – be sure to email and let me know what you think!   

The 40@Forty P…

One Man’s Photogra…

By Larry Lourcey

Book Preview